Emotions run high as fifth Kent and Medway vaccination centre opens its doors

Chelsea football club fan Andrew Malyon, 57, from the town – came appropriately dressed for the occasion in a football facemask – and was one of the first to receive his vaccination at the former DW Sports store in The Pentagon.

He became teary-eyed after his Covid-19 vaccination, thinking about all the things he’s a step closer to.

He said: “I’m looking forward to doing all the usual things like socialising, sports events but mostly seeing my mum. I’ve not seen her much in the past year. I haven’t hugged her for almost a year. I know having the vaccine won’t stop me catching it or passing it on but it’s hopefully a step towards normality.”

Run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, lead provider of large vaccination centres across the county, the Chatham centre has the capacity to vaccinate thousands of patients every day. Like the other four vaccination centres, it’s open to people aged 55 and over.

Dennis Valentine, 58, received his vaccination from fourth year medical student Matthew Knight. The prison governor, who lives in nearby Hempstead, was full of praise for the centre.

He said: “The whole thing ran like clockwork. I think having the vaccine is a personal choice, but like any choice you make it’s better if you make an informed one. I would encourage people to do their research, not just believe what they read on social media.”

Large vaccination centres in Kent and Medway began opening in January. Folkestone was first, followed by Gravesend, Tonbridge, Ramsgate and now Chatham. Latest figures show across Kent and Medway more than 670,834 vaccinations have been given.

Pauline Baker, 56, from Maidstone, can’t wait to be able to visit her children and grandchildren again. “My daughter and daughter-in-law are both NHS nurses working in critical and intensive care, so I’ve hardly been able to see them during the pandemic.

“I have three grandchildren and the youngest ones are just three and one so it’s been really tough on everyone, as I haven’t been able to help out at all. Normally I would babysit every other weekend so my son can work. I booked the appointment as soon as I knew it was open for over 55s, I couldn’t wait to get it.”

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Paul Bentley said: “It’s important to remember how much effort goes into every centre and opening five large vaccination centres to protect our communities is a testament to how hard everyone has worked.

“What strikes me is the stories of people as they leave after their vaccination – people who have not left the house for 11 months, have not seen their grandson or granddaughter and who have effectively been trapped by this horrible virus.

“That’s what makes us want to work faster and harder – opening the Medway centre two weeks ahead of schedule is what the KCHFT team is about; protecting people as quickly as we can from this virus and making a difference to people’s lives. And we never underestimate the impact this has.

“Subject to vaccination supply, we will be really ramping up our vaccination programme across Kent and Medway in the coming days and weeks.’’

You can make an appointment by phoning 119 or visiting nhs.uk/covidvaccination if you are in one of the eligible groups. Appointments are staggered at the centres to allow for social distancing and people are urged not to turn up early to avoid queues.

Nationally, letters to more than 1.5 million people aged 56 to 59 landed on doorsteps at the weekend and on Tuesday, the NHS started to invite those aged 55 and over via the new text message invite. Some carers will also be receiving a text message.

You can trust your text message is genuine if it comes from ‘NHSvaccine’, includes a link to the NHS.uk website and gives you the option of phoning 119. If you’re still unsure, you can wait for your letter to arrive – if the message was genuine your letter should be delivered a few days after.

Find out more about the Medway centre and nearest parking and public transport at www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/kent-vaccination-centres/.

For a full list of other sites already up and running, visit www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/covid19vaccine.

Dennis Valentine gets his vaccination in Chatham.